Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) seed oil: Kinetic modelling and solubility evaluation

Experimental and modelling investigations of supercritical fluid CO2 extraction (SC-CO2) of pomegranate seed oil (PSO) were performed at 240.280 and 320 bar, and 40,50 and 60 degrees C with CO2 flow rate of 8 kg/h. A retrograde solubility behaviour was found at 50 degrees C and 280 bar. The model of broken and intact cells developed by Sovova adequately described SC-CO2 processes (AARD% 0.2497-1.1691). It was demonstrated that the extraction of type A was the most suited to apply. The solubility of PSO in SC-CO2 was estimated and modelled by Chrastil model (AARD% 0.1910-1.1821). The highest value of the oil solubility was obtained at 320 bar and 60 degrees C. PSO extracted by SC-CO2 was found high-quality, evaluated in terms of antioxidant activity, and richer of punicic acid as compared to Soxhlet extracted oil. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.